Students in Broward Schools consume 2 million servings of chicken nuggets, 3.4 million servings of pizza and 10 million pouches of juice each year, which may be contributing in part to a continuing epidemic of obesity in our youth. In an effort to help curb that trend and encourage kids to eat more fresh vegetables, Broward Education Foundation is launching “Garden Delights-Team Up for Healthy Choices” with more than $50,000 in donations from the Health Foundation of South Florida, Wells Fargo and Flamingo Road Gardens (omit) Nursery. The goal of the program is to improve students’ attitudes about nutrition, encourage them to eat more fresh vegetables and fruit and engage parents as well in the switch to healthier food choices at home.

Five low-income Broward schools will participate initially in this program by designing, installing, maintaining and harvesting these vegetable gardens. Garden Delights will include teaching students about gardening and healthy eating, while incorporating skills development in math, science, reading and writing. Parents also will be involved in this integrated, curriculum-based program involving partnerships with Marando Farms, Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services, STEM and Instructional Services and other departments throughout the School Board of Broward County.

Established in 1983, the nonprofit Broward Education Foundation (BEF) seeks private contributions to supplement the public funding the schools receive. The Foundation’s programs provide scholarships for graduating seniors, award grants to teachers that enable them to develop educational programs and projects, and provide supplies for classrooms. The Foundation was ranked the 10th best in the nation for its effectiveness in generating and sustaining financial resources and distributing funds to students in the district, according to a 2012 study conducted by the Dewey & Associates consulting firm. During the 2011-12 fiscal year, the Foundation contributed more than $1.7 million in scholarships, school supplies, teacher grants and other school support. For more information, visit www.browardedfoundation.net.

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